Customers who are behind on their Akron water bills will get a reprieve from disconnections throughout the holiday season.

Mayor Don Plusquellic ordered the public utilities bureau to cease water service shut offs immediately through Jan. 5 for customers who are unable to make payments.

Utilities Bureau Manager Michael McGlinchy said an average of 440 accounts each month are disconnected due to nonpayment.

Akron's Utilities Bureau provides retail water and sewer service to approximately 90,000 accounts in Summit County, including Fairlawn, Mogadore, Hudson and portions of Cuyahoga Falls and Bath, Springfield, Copley and Coventry townships.